Mechanism and process for effecting regeneration



May 31, 1927. v 1,630,512

F. F. AULT MECHANISM AND PROCESS FOR EFFECTING REGENERATION Filed Feb. 16, 1921 4 Sheets-Shen l ay 31, 1927 F F. AULT MECHANISPII AND PROCESS FOR EFFECTING REGENERATION Filed Feb. 16. 1921 4 sheets-sheet 2 lf 'Q Ja d 7S l i 56 May 31,1927. F F AULT MECHANISM AND PROCESS FOR EFFECTING REGENERATION Filed Feb. 16. 1921 4 Sheetsfsheet 3 May 31,1927. F. F. AULT 630512 E CHANISI AND PROCESS FOR EFFECTING REGENERATION med Feb. 1s.` 192x 4 sums-snm 4 {ggz/755555" JMWW- Patented May 31, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

YFCXRJEZSSI! F. AULT, OF WILMETTE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE BORROWMITE COMPANY OF AMERICA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MECHANISM ANI) PROCESS FOR EFFECTING REGENERATION.

Application led February 16, 1921. Serial No. 445,415. l

My invention relates to improvements in water softening apparatus and method, and has special reference to improvements in the automatic control of the flow of water and e brine in systems which make use of brine for regenerating the water softening filter bed.

As heretofore used and controlled the shutting down or stopping of the How of the -water and the brine has been gradual. The fiow both of the brine and the'fresh Water through the filter bed in less than a predetermined quantity is not sutlicient for the reason that a small flow of the water does not 'spread out evenly throughout the lter bed but takes a short course, or the one of least resistance, from the inlet to the outlet with the result that la large percentage of time, brine and slush water are lost so far as any practical orefi'ectual result is concerned. l One important feature of my invention relates to the maintaining of afull flow of the liquid (brine and flush water)durng vthe time that they are respectively', flowing and the substantially instantaneous closure of the control valves at the end of the predetermined time interval.

Furthermore I provide automatic means for controlling the time interval during which the iiush water is flowing and which is adjustable to attain the result desired.

For operating the valve I provide hydraulic means controlled by a simple trip mechanism whereby the main flush water valve is operated by hydraulic pressure and is subproper point in th-e operation of the system.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying "drawings forming part of this specification, lo and in which Figure l is a view partly in section and partly in` elevation illustrating my improved apparatus which I have found best adapted for practicing my improved method;

l5 Figure 2 is a top plan View of said apparatus;

Figure 3 is a substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a frgamentary vertical section S0 similar to Figure 1 but looking in the opposite direction;

Figure 5 is a plan section on the line 5-5 of Figure l;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 6-6 of Figure 1*; and

stantially instantaneously operated at the.

fragmentary vertical section y Figure 7 is a side elevation shown partly 1n section of a duplex water softening unit to which the apparatus illustrated in Figure l is adapted to supply brine and flush water.

In said drawings, 1 is a= tank which con- 60 tains a bed of salt 2 through which water flows downward to dissolve the salt for producing the brine. This brine is used in a system of water softening in which a rapidly regenerating water softening material such as glauconiteor 'other suitable base exchange silicates is used for softening the water. The water softening material is used in the form of a filter bed and as the water to be softened filters through this bed the .l

calcium, magnesium and other salts which are in the Waterrendering it hard combine with the filtering material,` In time the particles of the water softeniizi material take up such quantities of the ardening salts from the water that the softening action gradually ceases. If brine is then forced through the filter bed these-hardening salts' are replaced by sodium of the brine and c'arried away and the'vvaterfsoftening material, 30V is thus regenerated. 1 i

In Figure 7 I have shown a filtering unit 3 comprising a pair of suitable tanks which contain a suitable bed of the water softening material and I have provided suitable pipes, 35 valves, and connections to be more fully described hereinafter for delivering both brine and Hush water from the apparatus shown in Figure 1 to the water softening unit for regenerating the filter bed and for liushing .90 out the brine usedV in such regeneration and for washing away the collected salts of calcium, magnesium, etc.

For contfolling the flow of brine and flush water to the softening unit 3 I provide a 95 main pipe l connected to the water softening unit at one end by the pipe 5, a T 6 connect- ,ing the pipes 4 and 5. The pipe 4 extends over the tank l and is looped back over the tank, being supported upon cross bars 7 at 100 the top of the tank, which is open. The receiving end `8 of the pipe 4 is connected to a service pipe 9 for fresh wat-er through a three-way valve 10, which is adapted to `be manually operated.

' I connect the opposite side of the threeway valve 10 to the side opening of the T 6 by a pipe ll. This connection is for the purpose of providing means for drawing the brine out of the brine tank 1 and forcing it 110 the pipe 4 to replace 22 for preventin to the water softening tanks. This is accomplished by an eector 12 in the plipe 11 which is connected y a pipe 13 to t ehottom of the tank 1. To prevent back flow through the pipe 13 into the tank 1, I. provide a check valve 14 in this pipe. A stop valve 15 in the pipe 13 permits `the regulation of the fiow of the brine to rovide the desired strength of solution whic is preferably about f It is sometimes desirable to hasten the flow of the brine to the, water softening tanks and for this purpose I provide asteam ejector 16 connected to the ipe 11 beyond the oint where the brine is elivered and which orces the solution -up into the T 6 and on to' thewatery softening tanks.

It will be understood, of course, that when the three-way valve is set to supply water throu h the 'pipe 11 to force brine tothe filter edsno flush water 'is fiowing through the ipe 4 and on. the other hand when itis -pipe 18 to the pipe 11 between the steam ejector 16 andthe T 6 which pipe is controlled by a stop valve 19.

For supporting the apparatus above the tank 1, I provide a framework 20 mounted on the cross bars 7. Both the upper and the lower branches of the pipe 4. are secured to this framework. Inthe upper branch of the pipe 4, I provide first a stop valve 21, then a check valve back flow through this pipe, then a weig ted valve 23 for controlin the flow through the pipe.

t the delivery side of the valve 23, I provide a drain pipel 24 connected tothe pipe 4, having an adjustable stop valve 25.

is pi e'permits delivery of fresh water to the ta 1 to replace that which is drawn off when forcing the brine to the softening unit and by adjusting the/valve 25, I can determine the time durin which I permit fresh water to fiowinto t e tank 1 through e liquid withdrawn therefrom and which determines fthe time during which flush water flows from the regulating apparatus to the softening unit. In the connection 26 between the upper and lower branches of the pipe 4, I insert a T 27. A horizontal pipe 28 connect-s. with the Tand has interposed therein 'a shutoff valve 29 controlled by a lever 30 an'd weight 31. The valve 29 is closed by 'gravity and is opened by a fioat 32 in the tank l. This floatl is preferably in the form of a short cylinder 33 of relatively lar e diameter so as to give a strong lifting" oroe and -terminates at its upper end in a coned top 'lowers to a point below the float. `lVl1en the water rises in the tank and the float rises hih enough the stop collar 40 en ages the valve lever 30 and lifts the samet us opening the valve 2 9 Fig'. 2 and permitting water to flow y through the pipe 28 to a T 41 which supplies water to a vertical hydraulic cylinder 42. This cylinder contains a piston on a piston rod 43, which projects from the upper end of the cylinder. and is pivotally connected to a vertically swinging lever 44 pivotally mounted at one end on a fixed .pivot 45 carried by the frame 20. Depending from the free end 46 of the lever 44 is an operatin rod 47 pvotally joined to the lever 44. gIhis rod passes through a bracket 48 carried by a. weighted valve lever 49-which controls the o ening and closing of said valve 23.. The ro 47 has an adjustable stop collar 50 beneath the bracket 48 so that when the water is admitted to the hydraulic cylinder 42 and the rod 47 is lifted the stop 50 will engage the bracket 48 on the valve lever 49 and close the valve 23 and will hold it closed as long' as the valve 29 is open, thus stopping the flow of fiush water to the water so tenmg unit at such time. To release the water from the h draulic cylinder 42 when the valve 29 closes l provide a drain pipe 51 connected with the T 41 and depending into the tank 1. The lower end of this drain pi e is controlled by a float valve 52 adapte to `be opened as soon as the water dro s below a given' maximum level 53 in said) tank and to be closed when the water in the tank 1 again rises to said level. j

The o eration of the' mechanism so far describe is as follows Presuming that the three way valve 10 has been set to admit water from the service main 9 to the pipe 11, the water flows through said pipe and the' pipe 5 to the ,softening tanks drawing with it the proper rcentage of brine from the tank 1. This 1s allowed to continue until the level of liquid in tank 1' is Vlowered from high level 53 to low level 54 (see Fig. 1). Then the valve 10 is manually operated to shut Aoff the flow of water to the pipe 11 and supply water to the main supply pipe 4. Durmer the time the water has been flowing through the pipe 11 the level of water in the tank 53 the valve 52 is first closed bi l has dropped from the upper level 53 to the lowerlevel 54, thus opening the valve 52 and dropping the float.32 to the lower limit of its movement and permitting the valve 29, Fig. 2, to close.- The opening-of the valve 52 permits the piston in the hydraulic cylinder to drop, thus permitting the main valve 23 to be opened by its weighted' lever 49. y At the time that the valve 1() is opened to deliver water in the main pipe 4 the 'main valve 23 is open and water can fiow in full volume through the pi e 5 to the water softening unit, this flow o water is for flushing or washing out the brine and the dissolved salts of calcium, magnesium, etc. produced bythe fiow of brine just previous through the pipe 11. At such time also the valve 29 is closed so that no water Hows to the hydraulic cylinder or to the drain valve 52, but water is at this time supplied. to the tank 1 through the pipe 24 and adjustable valve 25.

As no liquid is being drawn from tank 1 during this interval the water flowing through the supply pipe- 24 gradually raises the level therein, the time required for the level to reach the upper Water level'53 being regulated by the amount of water permitted to flow through the valve 25..

As the liquid level rises to the upper limit its float, and as the float 32 is lifted, it rings the stop 40 into contact with the lever 30 and opens the valve 29 to suppl water to the pipe 28. When thevalve 52 is closed by the lifting of its lever the water supplied tothe pipe 28 through valve 29 operates the pistonin the hydraulic cylinder 42 substantially instantaneously shutting off the flow of water through the main pipe .4 to the water softening unit and as the pipe 24 connects with the main pipe 4 beyond the valve 23 the supply to the tank 1` is also thereby stopped.

The valves remain in such condition until the three way valve 10 is again manually operated to cut offl the water from the supply pipe 4 and connect it to the pipe 11 for again supplying brine to the water softening unit. .A s soon as the supply is shut off from the pipe 4 by changing the valvey 10 and the water level lowers in the tank 1 sufficient to open the drain valve 52, thel hydraulic cylinder 42 is drained and thereb v the main valve 23 is opened, the valve 29 is closed, and4 all is in readiness for another cycle. y

To assist in the eas withdrawal of the brine at the bottom o the tank l through the pipe 13, I provide a layer of gravel 55 in t ebottom of the tank for supporting the salt 2 and through which the 'brine can i settle to the bottom of the tank, leaving any sticks, strings orother non-soluble foreign materials in the gravel.

I provide a platform 56 for su porting the lower end of the pipe 13 free rom the bottom of the tank l. This latform forms a clean brine reservoir, `an .consists of'a flat top member 57 supported near its edges on suitable supporting members 58 having notches 59 in their lower edges throu h which the brine can readily flow to t e lower end of thepip'e 13.

The form of' softener unit which I Vpreferably use comprises a pair of tanks 60 cross connected iii such a. manner that while softened water is being drawn from one' of the tanks the softening material in -the other tank can be in process of regeneration. This is for the urpose of being able to provide a substantially continuous supply of sof- 'i tened water.

Within the upper end of each tank is arranged a system of perforated pipes 61 through which the water to be softened can be supplied from a pipe 62 connected with a water service pipe or othersupply of fresh water. The connection between the pipe 62 and the perforated pipes 6l in the two tanks consists of .a pipe 63 cross connecting the inlet to the pipes, 61 in the two tanks and having a T 64 between its ends to which the supply pipe 62 is connected. Between the T 64 and thetanks are valves 65 for shutting olf the How of water \`to either tank. The fresh water when supplied to either tank enters the same through the perforated pipes substantially evenly over the whole horizontal area of the tank, flowing down 'through .the softening material therein and esca es through a similar system of perforatedj pipes 66 at the lowerend of the tank. The lower system of perforated salt ontop of the* aur pipes are similarly cross connected by a pipe I 67 having a T 68 between the same for delivering the softened water to a pipe 69 for leading it to aplace of use. Between the T 68 and-the tanks the pipe 67 is vprovided with valves 70 so that softened water can be drawn from either tank as desired and the flow from the othertank shut off.

Between the valves 70 andthe tanks, the

iis

pi e 67 is provided with a T 71 on each' si e, which Ts are connected with the sup- .plyipe 5 for delivery. to the tanks 60 of the rine and flush water as hereinbefore described. The pipe 5 is connected to the two Ts 71 by branches 72 which are controlled by stop valves 73 so that the brine and flush water can be sent to .either tankv i l zontal area thereof and rises through the softening material in the tank to the upper which they escape. In similar manner to the lower cross connection 67, the' upper cross connection 63 is provided with T s 74 in each branch between the valve 65 and the tanks and these Ts are connected to a delivery pipe by branches 76, each of which is controlled by a stop valve 77 so that as fresh water to be softened is fiowing downy through one tank from a supply 62 to the delivery 69, brine or yflush water can be flowing upward through the other tank from the pipe 5 to the Waste pipe 7 5.

It will now be clear that if the supply of brine or flush water is started or terminated slowly so that but a small flow of either -is maintained for any appreciable length of time such fiow will not spread evenly and uniformly over the whole horizontal area of the tank 60 through which it is fiowing, but will seek the line of leastresistance, naturally finding a path through the softening material almost directly from` the inlet at the bottom to the outlet up at the top, thus wasting time, water and salt.

The maximum flow of the brine and the flushv water which I am able to maintain throughout the periods of salting and flushing accomplishes the regeneration of the filter beds in a minimum time and without the loss of any salt or flush water.

I claim:

1. The method of regenerating a filter -bed for softening water, which'consists in causing a maximum flow of brine through the filter bed, then cutting off the flow of brine, then causin a flow of flush water through said bed or a predetermined time and at a substantially maximum fiow, and then substantially instantaneously stopping the flow of flush water. Y Y f 2. The method of regenerating a filter bed of water softening. material which consists in maintaining a full flow of brine of predetermined strength through the bed for a desired time, then shutting off'the fiow of brine, then causing flush water to fiow through the lter bed for a predetermined time, the flush water flowing in substantially maximum volume during the Whole of said time.

3. The method o f regenerating a filter bed of` Water softening material which consists in'maintaining a full How of substantially five percent brine through'the bed for a desired time, then shutting off the flow of brine, then causing flush water to fiow through the lter bed for a predetermined time, the flush water flowing in substantially maximum volume during the Whole of said time, and at the end of said time instantaneously stop ing the flow of flush water.

4. In a mec anism for providing a fiow of brine and flush waterfor regenerating a `means for deliverin filter bed of water softening material, a brine tank, means Afor providing a supply of fresh water, means for provi in a suprine from the tank and delivering it to said filter bed to be regenerated, means for stopping the flow of brine solution, means for delivering flush water to the filter bed for a predetermined time interval, and for maintaining the flow of flush water at substantially maximum rate during said time interval, means for effecting the substantially instantaneous stoppage of the flow of flush water at the termination of said time interval, and means for adjusting and controlling said time interval.

5. In combination with a water softening system of the kind described, a brine tank, a source of supply of fresh water, means for deliveringr water from the source of supply to a filter bed of water softenin material, means for mixing brine from the rine tank with the fresh waterfor making a brine of the desired strength, to regenerate said material, means for stopping the flow of brine, a constant flow of flush water to the lter bed for a. predotermined time interval, a valve for controlling the flow of flush water, a liquid connection to vsupply fresh" water to the brine tank to replace the brine Withdrawn, and means for controlling the rate at which the Water is delivered from said liquid connection to control said time interval, a bypass connected with the flush water pipe in ad- -vance of said valve, a hydraulic cylinder connected with said bypass for controlling said valve, means for draining said bypass to prevent operation of the hydraulic cylinder, and a float valve in the brine tank for closin said drain when the liquid level rises t erein to a predetermined point where by said hydraulic cylinder substantially instantaneously closes said valve.

6. In a system of the kind described, a flush water pipe for delivering flush water to a filter bed of water softening material, a valve for stopping the flow of flush water, a branch pi e connected with the flush water pipe in a vance of the valve, hydraulic vmeans for closing said valve connected to said branch pipe, means for draining the branch pi e' and preventing the operation of the hydraulic means, means for closing said drain to cause the hydraulic means to substantially instantaneously close said stop ply of saturated brine, means for rawing v fresh water and ada ted when fresh water stoppage of the flow of ush water -at the is flowing through the pi to drawhrine -termlnetion of said time interval, and means 10 from the 'reservoir and dieeli-ver it to the for adjusting and controlling said time infilter bed, a ush water pipe also connected terval. l 1

5 to the delivery pipe meansl for maintaining Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this Oth-day a ow'of fresh water ,at a maximum rate -of July, 1 920. Y i

durin a predetermined time interval, means for e ectmg a substantially instantaneous g FOREST F. AULT. 

